Prefaces
by Dr. S.R. PHATAK
Presented by Sylvain Cazalet
Note:
Prefaces only. Theses two books are not in public domain and can’t be
on-line.
PREFACE OF
A CONSISE REPERTORY OF HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES
BY DR. S.R. PHATAK
Prescribing in Homoeopathy is both Science and
Art. But it is a difficult Art. Good case-taking, sound knowledge of
Materia Medica and skilful use of the reference books are the three
prerequisites.This repertory is intended to serve as a handy and
useful reference book. It is an attempt to lessen the difficulties of
the prescriber. No originality can be claimed in a book of this type,
except that of presentation. There are advantages and disadvantages in
the traditional type of repertory. The author feels that the present
arrangement will minimise the disadvantages. Remedies for a particular
rubric are reduced to minimum possible by a careful selection. No drug
is given unless the author has used it in his own practice or unless
there is strong justification provided for it, by authorities like Dr.
Boger, Dr. Kent, Dr. Clarke’s Dictionary etc.A concise repertory cannot take the place of
exhaustive repertories of Kent, Boeninghausen and others. It is aimed at
reducing the burden of the prescriber, in every sense of the word.
Plan of the Book & How to
Use ItIn this repertory, the headings including mentals,
generals, modalities, organs, and their sub-parts are all arranged
according to their alphabetical order. All the physiological and
pathological conditions such as appetite, aversions, desires, nausea,
vomiting, thirst, fever, pulse etc. are also included in alphabetical
order. Cross references are given where-ever necessary. In such
arrangement there will be no difficulty in finding the appropriate
rubrics. In each such rubric all important symptoms, their concomitants
and their modalities are given. But the prescriber should not entirely
depend on the particulars, for finding out the correct remedy. If he can
find the correct remedy, according to the totality of symptoms, under
the particular organ or sub-part of it, so much the better, otherwise he
has to find the remedy considering the general conditions and general
modalities. For all the general modalities, the words Agg. and Amel. are
printed AGG. and AMEL. For the modalities under particular rubric only,
these words are printed Agg. and Amel. In this way, there should be no
difficulty in finding out as to which modality is general and which is
particular. For example “Eyes closing AGG”. Though this
modality is given under eyes, it modifies the general symptoms as well
as those of the eyes.Dr. Boger has a remarkable knack of coining a general
rubric from some particular symptom. (Those who have used his Synoptic
Key must have noticed it). For example, take the rubric ‘Awkwardness’.
This symptom is given by Dr. Kent in his repertory under, ‘Extremities’.
There it shows that the patient either drops things from his hands or
walks stumbling. But when Dr. Boger made it a general rubric, it means
that the patient’s mental and/or physical behaviour may be awkward. All
such headings coined by Dr. Boger are included in this repertory. Not
only that but the author himself has coined a few new headings from his
own experience. For example the rubric “unsteady sensation”.
Once a patient consulted the author for this sensation. This patient,
whenever he used to stand for more than a few minutes, used to feel
unsteady, not giddy, but as if he was not standing firmly on the ground.
The author found for him the remedy from those given under unsteady
gait.Every homoeopathic practitioner is aware that
modalities and concomitants are the most important factors for finding a
correct remedy. The author has garnered all useful modalities from
different standard repertories and has included those in this book. The
modality “Holding the breath Amel”, is given only by Dr.
Boenninghausen in his Therapeutic Pocket Book. This modality gave the
author once an opportunity to cure remarkably an ulcer on the
dorsum of the foot due to Thrombo-angiitis obliterans.The repertories are compiled for finding out as far
as possible a correct remedy by referring to the various symptoms given
under various organs ; along with the circumstances, conditions and
timing which modify them. In order to arrive at the suitable remedy, the
remedies given under a particular symptom are graded according to their
importance. The prescriber, however, should bear in mind that every
remedy -high grade or low grade- becomes equally important when it is
connected with peculiar concomitant or with an unusual condition or
circumstance. Repertorization does not mean
Mechanical Repertorization. Totality of Symptoms does not mean Numerical
Totality, but Qualitative Totality. One peculiar concomitant
or an unusual condition may determine the totality of the case.Patients do not always tell their symptoms according
to the rubric used in the repertory. Nor do they give all the
information required by the prescriber. The prescriber has to find much
of the information regarding modalities and concomitants by appropriate
questioning and confirm it by cross-questioning. After this, the
prescriber with his logical mind has to sift, evaluate and interpret the
meaning of the symptom or symptoms correctly, to enable him to refer to
the appropriate rubric in the repertory. All the modalities in a case
are not equally important. The modality regarding the position or
posture of a patient may sometimes be more valuable. If a patient says
that he feels better only when he assumes some strange position, this
condition should be considered first. This modality is not given in any
standard repertory, though some positions in sleep are given. But Dr.
Boger with his remarkable knowledge of behaviour of drugs has coined a
heading, “Attitudes bizarre” given under generalities. The
meaning is obvious. The patient’s disposition whether mental or physical
is bizarre, i.e. strange or unusual. Again some modality may be common,
but when associated with the diseased condition, with which it has
absolutely no connection, becomes uncommon or unusual. Once the author
was consulted by a patient who was suffering from what is known- as
peripheral neuritis. He was not suffering from diabetes, nor were there
any untoward incidents preceding that condition. The patient felt pain
in both the legs, below the knees. The pain was better by moving the
legs, while walking and by hard pressure. But the patient told the
author that when he belched or passed flatus, he felt much relief. If
the prescriber will try to find a remedy for this group of symptoms
from, any other repertory, he is probably liable to miss the mark. But
Dr. Boger has given the modality “Passing flatus up and down,
Amel” under the rubric “Flatulence”. The author has
elevated the rank of this particular to the general rubric.The aversions, desires, mental attitudes, causation,
have their own place in the selection of the remedy, when they are very
marked. Causations will be found under Agg’s either general or
particular. Mental attitudes will be found under mental conditions.
Sometimes the appearance of symptoms on one side, or going upwards or
downwards etc., give a right clue to the selection of remedy, when they
are very marked. All these conditions are given under ‘Directions’ of
symptoms. The prescriber should be alert ; he should look everywhere to
arrive at the correct remedy.Everything cannot be explained in the preface. But
the author hopes, that the few instances given above will enable the
prescriber to understand what to look, where to look, and how to look.
As said in the beginning, prescribing in homoeopathy is an Art. And one
can only achieve sort of proficiency in this Art by constant and
diligent study of the remedies given in various standard materia medica,
with reference to their place value given in the repertory.
Story of This Book
The author conceived the idea of preparing and
arranging the repertory in one alphabetical order when he used to
discuss the uses of various repertories, with the doctors who came to
him for guidance in the study of Homoeopathy. The repertory had also to
be a concise and handy one. Though this idea took root, the author on
account of his indifferent health was reluctant to undertake this task.
But his friend Mr. S. L. Kapadi, who knew about the idea, unexpectedly
came to his help. One day he came to the author with a skeletal copy of
this work and asked the author to fill up the gaps, check and recheck
it. This skeleton work was prepared by Mr. Kapadi from author’s rough
draft, notes etc. of Marathi repertory. The author was surprised. This
was more than what was expected from a layman.The author had to consent. He arranged the work
properly, rewrote it and made many additions. Dr. (Miss) Homai A.
Merchant who used to come to the author for guidance in the study of
Homoeopathy saw this hand-written copy. She herself very kindly offered
to type it. The typed copy was lying with the author for nearly ten
years. During this interval, many useful additions were made. But on
account of various reasons, the author did not consider getting it
printed. Mr. Kapadi induced my son to get it printed. When it was
decided to publish it, my son approached Mr. D. P. Datay, who promised
all help and undertook the composing work. Then the author had no choice
left.Dr. (Miss) Merchant again came to the rescue. When
requested, very willingly she typed the whole work again for the press
and made some valuable suggestions.No work is ever complete. But it can be rightly
claimed that considering the object of writing a compact, handy
repertory useful for prompt reference, no effort was spared to make this
work as complete as is possible.
Thanks giving
Thanks are due to Dr. (Miss) Merchant for her neat
typing. My son Dr. D. S. Phatak did the preliminary spade work. He went
through all the cross references, looked the final proofs carefully and
deserves all praise. Mr. Datay gave useful suggestions about everything
connected with the printing. His lino-operators, Mr. Sane, Mr. Ranade,
Mr. Mhaiskar and Mr. Damle showed immense patience with the author’s
never-ending corrections and additions. Thanks are also due to the
proprietors of the Mouj Printing Press for agreeing to print the book.The author does not know how to thank Mr. Kapadi,
without whose preliminary help and persistence later, the book may not
have seen the light of the day. Prescribers who find this book useful
owe a great deal to his interest in it.Finally the author is gratefully indebted to all
those masters of Homoeopathy from whose works he has drawn freely to
make this book as useful as possible.The author is well aware of the mistakes which have
crept in, in spite of careful proof-reading. Lines under some rubrics
are misplaced while printing. The prescriber is requested to correct the
book as per errata and refer to the list of abbreviations when
necessary.Sept. 1963
S. R. Phatak
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
While compiling a Materia Medica as a companion
volume to my repertory, I have had to go through different materia
medicas written by various authors like Drs. Hering, Clarke, Boger,
Boericke, Kent and many others.While doing this I found many new clinical and
pathological symptoms. So I have taken this opportunity to add these
symptoms in this edition of my repertory. Very few changes were found
necessary while revising the book.My repertory was well received not only in India, but
even abroad in America and England. The demand for it was persistent and
increasing, but if my colleague Dr. P. Sankaran had not undertaken the
responsibility of publishing it, the book in this second edition would
not have seen the light so soon. Not only I thank him but users of this
book must thank him also for this.My friend Dr. (Miss) Homai Merchant has been kind
enough to offer her services and type out the whole manuscript without a
single murmur. For this I am grateful to her.No repertory, whether exhaustive or concise, is ever
complete. Yet, I hope this book will be more useful to prescribers to
find the correct remedy in most of their daily routine cases. And if
they know the techniques of Dr. Boger, they will have occasion to refer
to the exhaustive repertories very rarely.I am thankful to M/s Jokap Printers for doing the
printing so patiently and painstakingly.Lastly I must thank God for preserving me in spite of
my old age and poor health to see this edition published.Bombay, 21 Oct. 1977
S. R. PhatakPREFACE OF
MATERIA MEDICA OF HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES
BY DR S. R. PHATAKWHY THIS BOOK
Students of Homeopathy who read different Materia
Medicas written by various authors, must have observed that some
symptoms given under a particular remedy in one materia medica are not
given by other. Dr. Boger has selected the most important symptoms from
various materia medicas and has included them in his Synoptic Key. But
while presenting these symptoms, he has, at times, used such words, that
unless the student has the ability to read between the lines, he will
miss their hidden meaning. Moreover, Dr. Boger has omitted many
important symptoms given by other authors. I will give some examples to
illustrate my point. Dr. Boericke has given “Retention of urine
after operation” under ‘Causticum’. Boger has not given this
symptom. Dr. Boger has given “Distension of abdomen after
operation” under Carbo animals which is not given by other authors.
Dr. Kent has not mentioned above two symptoms in his repertory. But
these two symptoms gave me opportunity to remove these distressing
conditions successfully. Dr. Boger has given a very curious symptom
“Breathes through a metallic tube as if” under Merc. Cor.
which is not given by other authors. Moreover he has made it a general
symptom – under the heading “Tube metallic – Merc. Cor.”. The
meaning is obvious. If a person comes and says that while passing stools
or urine or even speaking, he is doing these functions as if through a
tube, Merc. Cor is apt to be useful. I had an occasion to give this
remedy to a person who was speaking through a tube.If well understood, Dr. Boger’s Materia Medica. and
repertory are quite sufficient for most of the cases. But we possess
neither his intellect, nor his acumen.In compiling this materia medica, I have given all
the symptoms given by Dr. Boger. I have tried to simplify many of his
ambiguous words by explaining these meaning. Moreover I have garnered
many useful clinical and other symptoms from other materia medicas
(which were not given by Dr. Boger) and included them here.The presentation of Materia Medica is on usual
schematic basis. Under generalities the profile picture of the remedy is
given along with the regions on which it acts and how it acts, diseases
which it is liable to cure and causations. Then general modalities of
the remedy are given, after that regional symptoms with their particular
modalities follow.It is my belief that Dr. Boger wished to compile a
concise repertory arranged in alphabetic order rather than regional one.
In the same way a concise materia medica, in which all relevant symptoms
pertaining to each remedy are given ; was desirable. He has given clues
in his Synoptic key for compiling such books. With my poor intellect and
limited knowledge of homeopathy I have tried to fulfil his wish. How far
I am successful in my attempt, only time will show.
THANKS GIVING
My thanks are due to my friend Dr. (Miss) Homai
Merchant for typing the manuscript twice without a single murmur. Thanks
are also due to my son Dr. D. S. Phatak, for correcting first to final
proofs several times and for making arrangement to print the book with
Mouj Printing Bureau. Mr. Datay who got the composing done and Mr. M. R.
Sane who composed the book single handed, deserve my thanks.Readers are requested to have a look at the
“Hints for the beginners” and Index of Surgical remedies.Finally I am very grateful to God for sparing me in
spite my heart disease and old age to see the book completed. I have
done whatever I could. Capable young homeopaths should carry on the work
further.July 1977
S. R. PHATAK
HINTS FOR THE BEGINNERS
Materia Medica and Repertory are the twin pillars on
which successful practice of homeopathy stands. Both are complementary
to each other. None is complete in itself.Study of materia medica, is a long drawn out effort.
There is no short or easy road to success.Drugs should become your friends. You can identify
your friend from, the way he rings the bell, taps or opens the door,
climbs the foot-steps, etc. Similarly you should be able to know the
drug even when it is partially seen.The marks of identification of the drug are found in
its Generalities, Modalities (i.e. worse and better) and Mind. A
thorough grasp of these headings helps you to identify the drug in
relation to the patient.To achieve this, when you read a drug each rubric
should be seen in the repertory. The relative importance of this drug is
to be fixed in your mind by comparing it with other drugs under the same
rubric. This appears to be tedious. But the drug picture slowly gets
firmly and clearly set in your mind.
SYMPTOMS
The most difficult thing in homeopathy is
interpretation of symptoms. When the patient is telling his story in his
own words, you should be able to fix these, in terms of rubrics given in
the repertory. If you have grasped the materia medica well, certain
drugs will automatically come to your mind. Verify them in repertory.
Causation, modalities are more important. The peculiar symptom -which,
underlying pathology fails to explain- does many a time point towards
the suitable drug.When a cup is half-full, it is half empty also. While
interpreting symptoms, try to look at the same thing from various
aspects.While reading materia medica also, try to remember
the peculiar things in the drug. Bland discharges of Pulsatilla,
“Can’t throw things off” in Zincum Met, “Great variety of
symptoms” in Mercurius, etc. As said before these are the
identification marks of the drug.
CERTAIN SIGNS
< means worse from or after. > better or
relieved by. Semi colon ; is used in this book with care. For instance
in Calcarea Carb under mind you will find, Fears ; disease, misery,
disaster, insanity ; of being poisoned. It means Fears (1) disease, (2)
misery, (3) disaster, (4) insanity and fears of being observed. In
Phosphorous under generalities, “Ill effects of anger fear grief ;
worry ; exposure to drenching rains washing clothes ; tobacco ; etc. is
to be interpreted similarly. Suitable combinations can be profitably
made.Three types, are used in this book to show gradation.
Relative importance of different symptoms is given by this. But in a
particular patient a low graded symptom may prove to be the most
important. So you need not be carried away by the gradations.
LASTLY,
give due respect to the authorities on homeopathy for
what they say. But if your experience is contrary to what the
authorities say, do not get swayed by their opinions. Ultimately your
experience is the best authority as far as you are concerned.
S. R. PHATAK
Copyright © S.R.
Phatak 1999